Volunteers from the North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership (NSCRP) joined forces with East Midlands trains and pupils from the Discovery Academy gave Longton railway station a makeover at a Community Day yesterday.

The group, along with local councillors and the Tesco supermarkets at Longton and Meir Park, took part in painting, cleaning, litter picking and gardening.

Marika Latham, the NSCRP Project Officer who organised the event: “Railways have always played a vital role within local communities and they become better gateways when communities are engaged in making them more welcoming for passengers and visitors.

“The combined effort of all the volunteers, to improve the station environment, has been amazing and my heartfelt thanks to them all for making this day such a huge success.”

Lord Mayor Ross Irving said: “I would like to thank all the volunteers who turned up to help.

“It is a wonderful project and I am very proud of the local community.

“This is a fantastic example of how communities can make a real difference to the station.”

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Councillor Daniel Jellyman, cabinet member for regeneration, transport and heritage at Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: “The Crewe to Derby rail line, which stops at Longport, Stoke-on-Trent and Longton stations, is an important and well-used service for residents and businesses in our city.

“As a council we are committed to improving connectivity and making sure our city has the best services possible.

“I’m very happy to be involved in this event at Longton Station and to be working with the community to help improve this important facility.”